TJB Hall of Fame: Don Maynard

Whenever there are discussions of great receivers or great Jets, the name of Don Maynard almost never comes up — or worse, it comes into the conversation as an afterthought. Why?!

Unquestionably the best receiver to ever to wear the green-and-white, Maynard is only one of two Jets in the NFL Hall of Fame -- that guy from Beaver Falls who threw him the ball and won a championship with him, being the other. He is also only the Jets all-time leader in every receiving category, and simply the greatest big-play weapon the team has had. Ever.

In addition, his jersey is only one of three that have ever been retired by the team; again, you already know the other two -- Namath and Klecko.

But for some reason -- maybe because he played before much of the current fan base got to see him, or has kept a low profile since retiring -- he never seems to get the credit due him. Heck, it's taken until the third time around for him to even get inducted into the esteemed TJB Hall of Fame!

This, my Jets brethren, is a glaring oversight that we hope to amend a bit with this (overdue) enshrinement of number 13 into the TJB Hall of Fame.

The very first player to join the New York Titans franchise in 1960, he is also one of the longest-tenured stars in team history, playing for the Jets for 13 seasons.

During those 13 seasons -- a few of them for a struggling expansion franchise -- Maynard was the unquestioned go-to guy, the player the team could count on to make the big play. In what was possibly the game where they needed his game-changing skills the most, the 1968 AFL championship game against Oakland, Maynard delivered the performance of a lifetime, snaring 6 passes for 118 yards and 2 TDs. And although he didn't catch a pass in that improbable win over the Colts in Super Bowl III, he was on the field, drawing coverage and freeing up George Sauer for a big day, contributing mightily to that hailed championship.

Known as a player who liked to improvise while running routes, Maynard was a highly respected player on the field. He was a five-time All-Pro (1960, '65, '67, '68 & '69) and a four-time AFL Pro Bowl selection (1965, '67, '68 & '69).

Although I was alive when he played for the Jets, I was very young and have no personal memories of Maynard's playing prowess. And because of the era he played, there isn't a lot of highlight films out there. But I do have the record book to testify to his special place in NFL history, as well as AFL history -- he is a member of the All-Time AFL Team.

As mentioned, he is the Jets career leader (or close) in every critical receiving category.

Most receiving yards/season in NYJ history: 1,434 (1968); also is responsible for 4 of the top 5 seasons in receiving yards in NYJ history.

And again, all these totals were totally amassed in the era of14-game seasons, and back in an era when the modern passing game was just beginning to take off -- teammate Joe Namath was the first QB to pass for over 4,000 yards in 1967, with 1,400+ of them belonging to Maynard, who averaged a staggering 102.4 receiving yards/game that season.

Even more amazingly, Maynard didn't the join the Titans/Jets and start his true NFL career until he was 25, playing one season with the Giants as a returner (netting 84 yards on 5 receptions) and spending the 1959 season with Hamilton of the CFL.

If Maynard's numbers don't sound overly impressive, try to keep them in context. From his NFL Hall-of-Fame bio:

Although he never led the league in receiving any one season, at the time of his retirement following the 1973 season, Maynard was one of only five players to record more than 50 receptions and more than 1,000 receiving yards in five different seasons. A four-time AFL All-Star, his 633 career catches for 11,834 yards were both pro records at the time.

Simply, just because you never saw him play doesn't mean he wasn't amongst the very best in NFL and AFL history.

Jets fans like to grumble that we get no respect. Well, if there is any player who more embodied a lack of respect than Don Maynard, I don't know who it is.

Here's hoping this modest tribute atones for some of that. Congratulations!

The Jet Stream: Dominating the Dolphins

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Jonas Schwartz and Willie Colon are back for another episode of The Jet Stream, and this week they get to discus a win! The guys look back at the Jets' victory over the Dolphins and the anthem protests before the game. Later, Jets left tackle Kelvin Beachum joins the show to talk about the improving offensive line and facing his former team, the Jaguars, in Week 4.

Jets defense shows progress in dominant performance against Dolphins

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(Robert Deutsch)

Jets head coach Todd Bowles believes his defensive unit made big improvements in the team's win over the Dolphins on Sunday.

The Jets let up 45 points to the Raiders a week ago, but it didn't look like a defense that allowed that many points on Sunday. The Dolphins couldn't get anything going offensively, and Bowles believes it was because the team played together.

Erin Henderson suing Jets for wrongful termination

Sep 25 | 11:00PM

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New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles watches his team play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) (Adrian Kraus/AP)

Bowles happy team was united for anthem, wants focus to be on issues

Todd Bowles and the Jets made their statement about President Donald Trump and what's happening in this country when they locked arms on the sidelines during the national anthem on Sunday afternoon. Now the Jets coach wants the world's focus to be on the issues and solutions, not on all the inflammatory Tweets and words.

That was his message on Monday when asked for his feelings about the president's remarks, when he said that players who kneel during the anthem should be fired and labeled them a "son of a bitch."

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Josh McCown efficient in Jets win over Dolphins Sunday

Sep 25 | 2:49PM

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September 24, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown (15) passes the football against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports (Kyle Terada)

Jets QB Josh McCown led the offense in the team's first win of the season over the Dolphins, 20-6, on Sunday.

It was his first home game as a Jet, and McCown didn't disappoint. He was accurate, moved the ball around his receiving corps, and most importantly, he impressed head coach Todd Bowles.

"I thought he was very effecient," Bowles told Jets.com's Eric Allen. "Josh has been playing good for about three weeks in a row now. He controls the offense and he sees things. He's playing smart football."

Kearse: 'We're going to continue to fight the good fight together'

Sep 24 | 9:45PM

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FNNY: Anthem protests in NFL00:03:05

Taylor Rooks, Marc Malusis and Sal Licata react to NFL teams protesting the national anthem and discuss what players and owners had to say.

From players on the field to acting owner Christopher Johnson and GM Mike Maccagnan, the New York Jets all locked arms during the national anthem before Sunday's 20-6 win over the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium in protest of President Donald Trump's comments from a few days ago.

The Jets had a team meeting Saturday and decided they would lock arms and stand for the anthem as a team. Groups of players from each team around the league on Sunday either locked arms or knelt during the anthem after Trump referred to NFL players who protested the national anthem as a "son of a bitch" and said they should be fired.

Johnson, who is the team's acting owner while his brother, Jets owner Woody Johnson, serves as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom in the Trump administration, released a statement saying it was an "honor and a privilege" to join the players on the field on Sunday.

Jets Post Game Overtime: Jets defeat Dolphins, 20-6

Sep 24 | 6:38PM

The Jets Post Game crew keeps the analysis going, handing out report cards from the Jets' 20-6 win over Miami in their home opener.

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Jets' defense leads the way in 20-6 win over Dolphins

Sep 24 | 4:25PM

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Bowles, McCown discuss win00:02:17

Todd Bowles and Josh McCown reflect on the Jets' first win of the season, a resounding 20-6 victory over Miami.

All that dismal 0-16 talk is over. And, the New York Jets ended it early with a stunningly dominant performance.

Josh McCown threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to Robby Anderson, Bilal Powell ran for a score, and the Jets' defense frustrated Jay Cutler and the Miami Dolphins in a 20-6 victory Sunday in New York's home opener.

"Oh, man, it was awesome," McCown said. "It was special."

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Jets lock arms during national anthem before game against Dolphins

Sep 24 | 1:24PM

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September 24, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets players lock arms during the national anthem before the game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports (Kyle Terada)

Jets players locked arms during the national anthem on Sunday ahead of their game against the Dolphins.

Acting owner Christopher Johnson and general manager Mike Maccagnan joined the players by locking arms with them on the field.

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Wilkerson, Seferian-Jenkins active for Jets in Week 3

Sep 24 | 12:39PM

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New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) celebrates with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) (Adrian Kraus/AP)

DE Muhammad Wilkerson and TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins will suit up for the Jets' Week 3 game against the Dolphins

Wilkerson missed practices during the week with a shoulder injury after suffering a shoulder injury during the team's Week 2 loss to the Raiders. TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins will return following his two-game suspension at the beginning of the season.

The Jet Stream: Limo stealing and Carr-jacking

Sep 24 | 10:30AM

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In the latest episode of The Jet Stream, Jonas Schwartz and Willie Colon look back at the Week 2 loss in Oakland, and discuss what the Jets need to do to secure their first win of the season. Later, Jonas and Willie debut two of the show's newest segments, "Willie's Story Time" and "How being an NFL player is better than being you."

Jets' Wilkerson didn't practice Wednesday, but expects to play against Dolphins

Sep 20 | 6:18PM

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New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) looks to the fans prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. (Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)

Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (bruised shoulder) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, but he believes he'll be ready to play against the Dolphins on Sunday.

Wilkerson suffered the injury during last week's matchup in Oakland, but does not think the bruise is too serious. Head coach Todd Bowles also said he doesn't believe the injury will keep Wilkerson out of action.

Below is the rest of the Jets' injury reportfrom Wednesday's practice:

Christopher Johnson says Jets aren't tanking

Sep 20 | 1:30PM

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(Brad Penner)

Christopher Johnson, the Jets' acting owner as his brother Woody Johnson serves as Ambassador to the United Kingdom under President Donald Trump, says the team isn't tanking.

"It couldn't be further from the truth," Johnson told reporters on Wednesday. "I want to win every game. Every player in that locker room wants to win. What you're seeing, I think, are growing pains. These are young guys. There are some older guys on the team. Some of them, they're doing an extraordinary job. But I think you're going to see this team get better and better and better. That's what I'm looking for. And we are definitely not tanking."

The Jets, who have started the season 0-2 and are expected to have one ot the worst records in the NFL this season, trimmed the roster of the majority of their veterans during the offseason.

Jets defense focused on positives found in blowout to Raiders

Sep 19 | 3:15PM

Sep 17, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) picks up a first down before being tackled by New York Jets outside linebacker Darron Lee (58) in the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports (Cary Edmondson)

The Jets defense may have allowed 45 points to the Raiders this past Sunday, but they are not embarrassed as they believe the unit as taken positive steps forward.

The Raiders racked up 410 total yards as they had both the run and pass game working in their home opener. Though it was a bad performance, LB Darron Lee spoke about why there were no heads hung in the locker room following the game.

Bent, theJetsBlog.comFollow on Twitter: The Jets surprisingly hung around for the better part of three quarters, but eventually the game slipped away from them and the Raiders came away with the anticipated blowout win. Aside from a couple of ill-timed turnovers, the run defense was the biggest issue in yesterday's game...